|
Mary Katzke and Susan Skrocki, Director and Development Director of Between Us respectively, traveled to Las Vegas in March to attend the NCBC conference. This was a wonderful opportunity to meet with many who are already distributing Between Us First Aid Kits and to introduce others to the Between Us Project. We'd like to thank those who stopped by the Between Us table to learn more about the Between Us First Aid Kit for Your Heart and Soul. The positive comments and interest in integrating Between Us First Aid Kits for Your Heart and Soul as a critical first step in patient care confirms that meeting the emotional needs of patients is indeed a necessary initial step in patient care. We are glad to offer the Between Us First Aid Kits for the Hearts and Souls of your patients to help your facilities provide this immediate and tangible First Aid Kit of survivor-to-survivor mentorship, comfort and inspiration.
The speakers at the NCBC conference addressed some of the psycho-social needs of women facing a breast cancer diagnosis. It is apparent that addressing and meeting these needs is an important step in patient care. Many breast centers around the nation are supporting their patients by providing a variety of services including massage, psychologists, social workers, and acupuncture.
Between Us Spring 2001 Tour of the Southwest
This year's tour started in Phoenix, meeting with Susan Abby at Good Samaritan Hospital's arttul new diagnostic center and the next day, attending the SEEK Conference. We moved on to present for People Living Through Cancer in Albuquerque, St. Vincent's Cancer Treatment Center in Santa Fe, two hospitals in El Paso, met with the Komen Affiliate in San Antonio as well as the San Antonio Cancer Therapy and Research Center, Tucson Medical Center, and ended with the National Conference of Breast Centers in Las Vegas. At each stop, we introduced the Between Us First Aid Kit and 52 minute video to staff members, breast cancer survivors, drug representatives and marketing personnel, as well as asking the important question, "What does your center do for the emotional needs of your newly diagnosed patients?"
The answers to this question ranged from having a psychiatrist available for immediate consultation to providing books, brochures, and in one case, a Softie t-shirt to hold drainage aparatus and cotton prosthetics. While it is helpful to receive the reading materials, we stressed that the primary feelings after a diagnosis are more likely to be emotional than intellectual. We "feel" first and "think" second. Comfort during crisis takes precedence over information, though information can sometimes be comforting! Another thing we learned is that protocal varies tremendously between hospitals in terms of where and when a positive diagnosis is told to the patient, and how long the gap is until she has her treatment consultation.
We also learned is that there is an incredible need for materials in Spanish which address the issues we address, especially in the territory in which we were presenting. So we have made the Spanish translation of the Between Us project a priority for us in the granst writing realm. The sooner we have this available, the better! So thank you to all who so graciously hosted us on our tour in your impressive centers, and thank you to those who have requested proposals ranging from 50 to 5,000 kits. We are busily preparing your proposals!
What's New?
The Between Us Journal has a new look! Our journal supplier could no longer provide us with the blank books we have included as part of the Between Us First Aid Kit for Your Heart and Soul. As often is the case, change breeds creativity! Our new journal will have a beautiful new look with a pair of tea mugs and a hand tinted lily on the cover. We have added a note to the journal user on the back to help her know how to utilize the journal as a tool during and in preparation for medical appointments. These journals are available individually at a sponsorship level of $9 per blank book plus shipping and handling.
The Between Us video has been updated to include new contact numbers: Y-Me which provides 24 hour hotline assitance, and 1-800-I'M AWARE, Susan G. Komen Foundation's number for educational materials and referrals. The ending title sequence also includes a shot of Between Us Director and longterm breast cancer survivor, Mary Katzke as a new mother, a concern she expressed with depth in the Between Us video. We are happy to share in Mary's joy, her son Corin.
We would like to address some of the frequently asked questions about the Between Us First Aid Kits:
Why is a Between Us First Aid Kit necessary? We already provide written information and have a breast cancer support group.
When a woman hears that she has breast cancer, she immediately enters a crisis stage. Her thoughts are spiraling to encompass her family, her personal life, her professional life, and she is not able to fully process medical information until her higher emotional needs are acknowledged and met. The Between Us First Aid Kit provides immediate support. Even if a woman meets immediately with a social worker or psychologist, the Between Us First Aid Kit is a tool she can take home with her to provide ongoing support when she needs it. We have heard from many spouses and family members that the Between Us First Aid Kit provided comfort to their wives and mothers, and that the Between Us video helped them to know how to support and help her.
When should we present our patients with their Between Us First Aid Kit?
Between Us First Aid Kits were designed to be given to a woman during the same office visit she is told of her breast cancer diagnosis. She then has something tangible to take home that acknowledges her emotional needs, reminds her that she is not alone, and helps her to organize her thoughts and be better prepared to become a partner in her healing process.
Some facilities give their patients the Between Us First Aid Kits through their breast cancer support groups. One hospital sends a Between Us First Aid Kit up from radiology on a tray with the results of the biopsy.assuring that every patient who is diagnosed with breast cancer receives a Between Us First Aid Kit. We realize that every breast center, hospital and surgeon's office is unique. We are happy to help your facility determine the best method to distribute the Between Us First Aid Kits to patients.
What is the best way to get funding for the Between Us Project?
Many facilities have successfully presented their desire to provide Between Us First Aid Kits as an initial step of patient care to their facilities' foundations, auxiliaries and executive boards. Facilities often choose to fund the Between Us First Aid Kits with no assistance from outside sources. Other facilities have successfully been funded by grants that they have written. Local businesses are often willing to contribute to a fund that will provide Between Us First Aid Kits to women facing a breast cancer diagnosis. Keep in mind that we can customize your First Aid Kits to credit local businesses, foundations or individuals who have underwritten the Between Us Project for your facility. Between Us is a project of Affinityfilms, Inc., a nonprofit organization. If you are unsure about how to initiate a funding request, please contact us and we can provide you with information and help you get started.
Please contact us directly if you have specific questions about bringing the Between Us Project to your facility at mary@betweenus.org or leave a message on our toll free line at 888-353-HEAL (4325). We check messages daily and will return your email or call.
Reaching Out
Women who are undergoing breast cancer treatments may worry that other parts of their lives are not being cared for. Consider the priorities in her life: children, pets, garden, volunteer work etc..., and offer to take on a portion. She will feel wonderful if someone will take her children to extra curricular activities, a movie, or an afternoon at the park. If she has pets that she loves but cannot care for, it will help her to know that someone is caring for them. If she loves flowers, offer to care for her garden or pots so she can enjoy them without having to be responsible for the watering or weeding, which she cannot do. Your efforts can mean the world to her.
We welcome feedback and suggestions from our readers to include in future newsletters.
What is the most memorable feedback you've received from a patient while in crisis?
If you could add an item to the Between Us First Aid Kit, what would it be?
Recent Distributions
Fairbanks Memorial Hospital in Fairbanks, Alaska recently funded Between Us First Aid Kits for the women diagnosed in their community. We commend this local hospital for their supportive patient care.
St. Charles Medical Center in Bend, Oregon has successfully brought the Between Us Project to their community. The women in their care will receive the immediate Between Us survivor-to-survivor mentorship.
The American Cancer Society chapter in Bay City, Michigan is providing comfort and inspiration to women diagnosed with breast cancer by incorporating the Between Us Project into the areas they support.
The South Shore Women's Clinic in St. Joseph, Michigan is providing Between Us First Aid Kits for women diagnosed with breast cancer in their community.
Sponsors
Between Us Offers Appreciation and Recognition to Sponsors
We cherish the relationships we have with vendors who supply items for the Between Us First Aid Kits and would like to thank them for their support:
- Allied Digital
- Arctic Promotions
- COTY, Inc.
- Disc Graphics
- GCI
- Lighted Forest Candles
- TAZO Teas
Please feel free to forward this newsletter to anyone you feel may be interested in the Between Us Project. We are a grassroots project of a nonprofit organization and rely on word of mouth to help us reach out and move closer to our goal.
Contact Us
Email
Toll free message and ordering information line 888-353 HEAL (4325)
|
